I-5 construction delayed due to weather

Phoenix, Ore. -- A major construction project set to begin Monday night on Interstate 5 in Phoenix is being delayed because of a rainy forecast.

The project will leave only single lanes of traffic open in both directions. Workers will be installing a four foot diameter pipe across both north and southbound lanes of I-5 as part of the Fern Valley Interchange Construction project just north of Phoenix.

Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson Gary Leaming said they hope to start construction later this week depending on the weather.

"Everybody was anticipating we would start the project tonight. Unfortunately rain delays occur in baseball and sometimes road construction and that's what we're seeing," said Leaming.

According to Leaming, along with closing lanes, the speed limit will also be reduced to 50 miles an hour through the work zone.

He said once construction starts, if people do not take alternate routes like Highway 99 or North Phoenix Road, there could potentially be a two-mile backup on I-5 during peak travel times in the mornings and evenings.

Leaming said this is just one of the first stages of the construction project.

Also, a heads up for drivers: lanes will be closed for 25 days. So plan accordingly.